Programme Assistant – World Food Programme

Apply by 9th Jan 24

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

VACANCY DETAILS

Job Title: Programme Assistant

Grade: Level 5

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Duration: 1 Year

Reporting To: Programme Associate (Climate Resilient Agriculture), with overall guidance of the HoU, Climate Change, Resilient Food Systems, and DRR, WFP and State Government.

Unit : Climate & Resilient Food Systems

Duty Station: Guwahati (neighbouring districts)

Deadline of Application: 09 January 2024

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This vacancy is open to Indian National only
This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted
• A Written test will be used for Screening Candidates
• Only recommended candidates will be retained on roaster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from roaster
• The Base Salary for this position is INR 63,521/- per month + 8.33% of Base Salary towards Social Security also employee will be covered with medical benefits as per WFP ‘s Plan. All Tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber.

JOB PURPOSE:

The WFP is the largest humanitarian organisation delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP’s policy on Climate Change commits it to preventing acute hunger and investing in climate action- at both government and community levels- aligned to the international frameworks including Paris Agreement and disaster risk reduction adopted in Sendai, Japan, in 2015.

WFP India’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP, 2023-2027) outlines its commitments to contribute to the efforts of Indian government in achieving their targets under SDG 2 and connected SDGs 5, 13 and 17. WFP works with a variety of State and Central Ministries to take this agenda forward. Realizing India’s growing willingness and potential to provide technical support in the area of building resilience for sustainable food and nutrition security, CSP’ Strategic Outcome 4 (SO4) focuses on strengthening adaptive capacities, climate resilient food systems and livelihoods with following two main outputs:

Stakeholders at national and state levels have strengthened capacities to address food security and nutrition issues in disaster and climate-response mechanisms.

National climate response mechanisms are strengthened to improve community-level resilience and adaptation to natural shocks and other climate events.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Enhancing climate adaptation of vulnerable communities through nature-based solutions and gender-transformative approaches in Assam, India is an 18-month project supported by the Government of Norway. The overall long-term goal of this project is to enhance the adaptive capacities of small holder farmers, with focus on women, against the impact of climate change. This will be achieved through promotion of adaptive farming practices, diversified and resilient livelihoods and establishing convergent institutional mechanisms. The project will develop a scalable model that can be contextualized and rolled out at multiple similar agro-ecological zones across the country as well as facilitate south-south learning.

The project will achieve its goal through the following two objectives:

• Enhance institutional capacities to leverage climate services and promote evidence-based innovative solutions and technologies to support sustainable farming practices and diversified rural livelihoods.
• Support the State government to build adaptive capacities of vulnerable smallholder farmers, with a special focus on women farmers.
• The project will target smallholder farmers particularly women in selected district of Assam.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Not all inclusive) 

The position is responsible for the co-ordination and ground level implementation of the project Enhancing climate adaptation of vulnerable communities through nature-based solutions and gender-transformative approaches in Assam, India at the district level. Located in the project district, the position reports to the Programme Associate (Climate resilient agriculture), with overall guidance of the HoU, Climate Change, Resilient Food Systems, and DRR, WFP and State Government. The main responsibilities of Programme assistant include-

1. Management and Implementation:

• Assist in the planning, developing and implementation of various activities and processes for the project interventions aligned with guidance from WFP and the State Government.
• Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries, problems and escalate issues to the WFP team in the state and Country Office as required.
• Liaising with local agriculture university, block agriculture officers, Livelihoods Mission staff and community workers and KVK s to provide timely technical support to farmers and help in promotion of Climate resilient farm practices
• Work with the technology partners, implementing partners, financial institutions, women SHGs, farmer collectives, to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.
• Work with the women farmers and ensure their participation, capacity building and livelihood support in coordination with the Gender and Inclusion unit
• Assist in organizing and conducting capacity building of the different stakeholders on various project related activities.
• Undertake implementation of various activities and processes for the project interventions aligned with project documents and agreed plans.

2. Monitoring of the project:

• Regular visits to the selected blocks, villages and farmers to monitor the implementation of the project, identify gaps in implementation and suggest/take corrective actions.
• Regular visits to the KVK, block and district officials to update on the project, seek support and monitor the procurement of raw material, processing and marketing
• Attend monthly review meetings of key implementing entities at the block level, including the department of agriculture, climate change, involved FPOs, district and block officials keeping the district collector informed

3. Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Prepare monthly reports on the progress of the project at the district/ block level for sharing with all project stakeholders.
• Assist in compilation and identification of good practices, case stories in the implementation of the project in the different villages for wider dissemination.
• Promote cross-learning and motivation for the project participants through field visits and organization of panchayat level learning sessions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. A university degree in Climate Sciences, Agriculture, Agronomy, Rural Development, Sustainable development, or social sciences or any relevant field is desirable.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum Five years of relevant work experience preferably in the development sector in partnership with the government/UN agency/lNGO. Experience on supporting the implementation of projects or working on projects targeted towards climate smart agriculture, resilient livelihoods, climate adaptation, rural development, women empowerment, and community mobilization.

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Experience in implementation of plans and activities with NGOs, UN agencies or with governmental institutions.
• Good understanding climate issues and its impacts on agri-food systems, various relevant programmes and policies, climate adaptation and resilience strategies, potential use of renewable energy and other livelihood strategies.
• Good computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of UN and the Government system would be an asset.
• Knowledge and relevant implementation experience in Assam are an added advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of supply chain and food security, environment and climate resilience, livelihoods, gender and nutrition experts across India.
  Tact and diplomacy.

LANGUAGE

Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Assamese is a requirement.

Critical Success Factors

• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.
• Very strong communications skills, both in writing and speaking.
• Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action orientation.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an independent but consultative manner.
• Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.

WFP COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR:

This is a Team Contributor role and following behaviours are expected:

• Leads by Example with Integrity
• Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments
• Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork
• Applies Strategic Thinking
• Builds & Maintain Sustainable Partnerships

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization that is committed to saving lives in emergencies and changing lives through sustainable development. WFP is working with 83 countries around the world, supporting governments in their efforts to reach the targets under Sustainable Development Goal 2 – improving access to food, ending all forms of malnutrition, improving incomes, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

In India WFP has been closely working with the Government of India and the state Government of Odisha since 1963.  Since 2012, WFP has been providing technical assistance and capacity development to Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, School & Mass Education, and Planning and Convergence Departments to ensure improved access food through transformation of TPDS, access to nutritious food through food fortification, and analysis of food and nutrition security scenario respectively. In addition to closely working with Odisha, understanding the working and aspiration of the state, WFP also brings in its vast global expertise gained by undertaking innovative programmes for promoting women’s social and financial mobility.

In line with its global commitment, WFP India’s current Country Strategic Plan (CSP), 2023-26, too articulates a strong commitment to enhancing livelihoods, gender equality and women’s empowerment by incorporating gender as a cross-cutting theme across all components of the plan and adopting a gender-transformative approach in its programmes. WFP aims to focus its efforts on promoting policies and interventions that interweave gender, women’s empowerment, and food security and nutrition at multiple levels.

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.